You've got the list, you've bought the book(s), what now? Maybe some greeting cards that recycle into bookmarks to go along with it? Ah, the perfect combo. Mention birdie sent you, and you'll get free shipping on your order through the month of December.

"OK, you've determined you're going to try to buy books from your local independent booksellers...but now the question is...what are you going to buy?"

Any indie bookstore can and will recommend books -- tell 'em what you like or something about the person you're shopping for, and they'll offer suggestions. If you want to be guided by bestseller lists, consider the national weekly IndieBound list that features what independent bookstore customers are buying -- http://www.indiebound.org/indie-bestsellers.